Powerful Photography Explores and Reimagines Black Identity Through Classical Art History

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., will present "Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies," a solo exhibition of over 25 large-scale photographs by artist Tawny Chatmon, running from October 15, 2025, to March 8, 2026. The works, drawn from series dating from 2019 to the present, blend photography with hand-applied paint, gold leaf, and precious materials, depicting Black children and families in gilded frames inspired by Gustav Klimt and medieval icons. This is Chatmon's first museum exhibition in the nation's capital.

national gallery of art artemisia gentileschi painting

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has acquired its first painting by Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi, titled *Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy* (ca. 1625). The work, once thought lost, resurfaced in a French private collection in 2011 and was sold at Sotheby's in 2014 for $1.1 million, setting a then-auction record for the artist.

Historic $116M Gift Endows Lending Program at National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has received a historic $116 million donation from the Mitchell P. Rales Family Foundation to permanently endow its 'Across the Nation' lending program. This initiative loans artworks from the NGA's collection to smaller regional museums across the United States, covering all associated costs. In its pilot year, the program reached an estimated 900,000 visitors at ten institutions, bringing works by artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Rembrandt, and Mark Rothko to communities from Alaska to Michigan.

Andy Warhol | Kiku Flowers (with hardback exhibition book, “edition club” order forms) (1984) | Available for Sale

APC ART has announced the exclusive sale of a rare 1984 Andy Warhol screenprint titled "Kiku Flowers." The work originates from a limited edition of 1,500 produced for a landmark exhibition at the Gendai Hanga Center in Tokyo and is being offered as a comprehensive historical package. The sale includes the original cloth-bound exhibition catalog and primary source documents, such as the original "edition club" order forms used for the Kiku suite.

Melissa Chiu Appointed Head of Guggenheim New York

Melissa Chiu nommée à la tête du Guggenheim New York

Melissa Chiu has been appointed as the new director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, effective September 1. Currently the head of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., Chiu succeeds Mariët Westermann, who will transition to a strategic role overseeing the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s international network. Chiu brings a proven track record of fundraising, having secured nearly $250 million during her tenure at the Hirshhorn, and is credited with significantly increasing attendance and diversifying the museum's collections.

National Gallery receives $116 million donation to send its collection around the U.S.

The National Gallery of Art has received a $116 million endowment from the Mitchell P. Rales Family Foundation to permanently fund its nationwide loan program, 'Across the Nation.' This gift, the largest to endow programming in the institution's history, was made to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Muriel Hasbun, Artist Whose Work Poignantly Recounted the Salvadoran Diaspora and the Fraughtness of Memory, Dies at 64

Muriel Hasbun, a multidisciplinary artist known for exploring themes of memory, migration, and the Salvadoran diaspora through photography, video, and installation, died on May 13 from ovarian cancer in Silver Springs, Maryland, at age 64. Born in El Salvador in 1961, she left during the country's civil war in 1979 and settled in Washington, D.C. Her work, including series like "Santos y sombras / Saints and Shadows" (1990–97) and the 2023 survey "Tracing Terruño" at the International Center of Photography, poignantly combined archival family photos with new imagery to examine loss, exile, and the complexities of identity.

A Rare Blue-Green Diamond Ring Sold for Over $17 M. At Christie’s Geneva

A rare 5.5-carat blue-green diamond ring, named Ocean Dream, sold for over $17 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Zurich on May 13, 2026. The triangular-cut stone, estimated at $9–12 million, is set in an 18-karat white gold band with pink and white diamonds. The buyer was an unnamed private client, and the ring took 20 minutes to sell. It had previously fetched nearly $10 million at Christie’s Geneva in 2014.

artemisia gentileschi record christies

An early self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi, depicting the artist as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, sold at Christie’s in New York for $5.69 million, far exceeding its $2.5–3.5 million estimate. The painting, one of only five known self-portraits by Gentileschi, was painted when she was 20 and living in Florence. The previous auction record for the artist was $5.25 million set in 2019 at Artcurial in Paris.

national portrait gallery spielberg jamie dimon

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., will debut an exhibition titled “Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees” on December 12, featuring newly commissioned and acquired portraits of filmmaker Steven Spielberg, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, scientist Temple Grandin, and poet Joy Harjo. The show follows a fundraising gala and includes works by Kate Capshaw, Jason Alden, Joel Daniel Phillips, and David Lenz, with the Spielberg portrait combining oil painting and film projection.

clara peeters only self portrait comes to auction

Sotheby’s London will auction what is believed to be the only known self-portrait by Clara Peeters, a pioneering Flemish still life painter from the early 17th century. The painting, a vanitas still life featuring a presumed self-portrait and a still life of flowers in a glass vase, carries a presale estimate of £1.2 million to £1.8 million ($1.6 million–$2.4 million) and will be offered in the “Old Master and 19th Century Paintings Evening Auction” on July 2. The work was previously downgraded to the artist’s circle but is now accepted as an autograph Peeters, with a provenance dating back to 1767.

rachel ruysch toledo museum

The Toledo Museum of Art has opened "Rachel Ruysch: Nature Into Art," the first monographic exhibition dedicated to the 17th-century Dutch still-life painter Rachel Ruysch. Curated by Robert Schindler, the show brings together dozens of her paintings from public and private collections across Europe and America, including her only known work on paper, alongside manuscripts and works by contemporary women botanical artists. The exhibition originated at the Alte Pinakothek Munich and will travel to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston later this year.

WTF Is an “A-Corp”?

Hyperallergic's daily newsletter announces that Noah Fischer's comic "Prospect Heights Ghost Story" won a 2026 New York Press Club Award, thanks to collaboration with the Economic Hardship Project (EHRP). The edition also covers anti-Trump guerrilla protest art in Washington, D.C., including an arcade game titled "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" that satirizes the White House's foreign policy. Other stories include Ridgewood, Queens emerging as a new art hotspot, a feature on Francisco de Zurbarán's religious paintings, and Paddy Johnson's guide to what an "Artist Corporation" (A-Corp) is and whether artists should start one. The newsletter also reports that the Belgian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale closed on May 8 as part of cultural workers' strike for Palestine, and that nearly half of the artists in the international exhibition plus 22 national pavilions withdrew from awards consideration in solidarity with the jury's resignation.

where to go what to expect amid us government shutdown 2025

The United States government shutdown, which began on October 1 after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, has forced the closure of numerous federally operated museums, historic sites, and national parks. While some outdoor monuments and parks remain accessible, many are understaffed and operating with limited services. In Washington, D.C., sites like the Library of Congress, National Archives Museum, and Washington Monument are closed, while Smithsonian-run institutions remain open only through October 11 using prior funds. In New York, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain open, but the lack of uniformity across agencies has created confusion for visitors.

Andy Warhol | Cow II.11A (1971) | For Sale

Andy Warhol's screenprint "Cow II.11A" (1971) is being offered for sale by Composition.Gallery, priced at $15,200. The work is a color screenprint on wallpaper, printed by Bill Miller's Wallpaper Studio, Inc., New York, and published by Factory Additions, New York, for a Warhol exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art from May 1 to June 13, 1971. It is part of a limited edition of 100, stamped by the artist's estate, and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Plan Your Travel Year: 8 Art Shows Worth Traveling for This Year

Major museums across the United States are launching significant exhibitions in 2026, including retrospectives of Frida Kahlo in Houston and Nick Cave in Washington, D.C., and a landmark show on sculptor Edmonia Lewis in Salem. These shows are part of a broader cultural moment, with many institutions mounting exhibitions to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary, aiming to reframe art historical narratives and highlight previously overlooked artists.

Cy Twombly | Untitled | Art & Prints

This article is a listing for Cy Twombly's artwork "Untitled" (1960-61), a graphite and wax crayon on paper piece offered at Christie's. It provides a detailed biography of the artist, noting his birth in Lexington, Virginia, his studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Art Students League of New York, and Black Mountain College, and his permanent move to Rome in 1957. The listing includes his major exhibitions, such as retrospectives at MoMA and the Whitney Museum, and highlights his high auction record of $70.5 million for "Untitled" (1970) at Sotheby's in 2015.

7 D.C. art exhibits to catch this summer before they close

The article highlights seven art exhibitions in Washington, D.C. that are closing at the end of summer 2025, urging visitors to see them before they end. Featured shows include a retrospective of African American artist Alma Thomas at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, a survey of contemporary Indigenous art at the National Museum of the American Indian, and a solo presentation of Yayoi Kusama's infinity rooms at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Other notable exhibits include a photography collection by Gordon Parks at the National Gallery of Art and a showcase of modern Latin American art at the Museum of the Americas.

Review | Raphael, a master of serenity, is the artist we need right now

Art critic Philip Kennicott reflects on the profound psychological impact of Raphael’s Renaissance masterpieces, specifically citing the 'Madonna of the Meadow' in Vienna and the 'Alba Madonna' in Washington, D.C. He describes how these works possess a unique ability to cure 'museum fatigue' and mental clutter, offering a sense of serenity and clarity that feels particularly necessary in the current cultural climate.

Glenstone Is Celebrating 20 Years Of Art, Architecture, & Nature

Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland, is celebrating its 20th anniversary as one of the largest private contemporary art museums in the United States. Founded in 2006, the institution offers a unique, immersive experience across 230 acres, combining world-class art, minimalist architecture, and expansive nature trails. The museum currently features major works by iconic artists such as Jackson Pollock, Ruth Asawa, and Kerry James Marshall within its two primary structures, The Gallery and The Pavilions.

150 photos depict 185 years of the US mining industry in world-first historical exhibition

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., will present "Beneath the Surface," a world-first photographic exhibition dedicated to 185 years of the U.S. mining and natural resource extraction industries. Featuring 150 images from 100 photographers, the show spans from California Gold Rush daguerreotypes to 20th-century industrial documentation, including works by Dorothea Lange and Lewis Wickes Hine. The exhibition will be on view at the National Gallery from May 23 to August 23, 2026, before traveling to the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

Phillips Collection’s new ‘Miró and the United States’ exhibit focuses on transatlantic cultural exchange rather than conflict

The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., has opened a new exhibition titled 'Miró and the United States,' curated by Elsa Smithgall. The show features 75 works by Joan Miró alongside pieces by more than 30 other artists, including Alexander Calder, Rufino Tamayo, and Arshile Gorky. Rather than framing the relationship as a cultural clash between European modernism and American art, the exhibition emphasizes transatlantic artistic exchange during the mid-20th century, particularly in the shadow of World War II and the Spanish Civil War. Key works include Miró's 'Constellations' series and 'Still Life with Old Shoe' (1937), which are presented in dialogue with American contemporaries who responded to his visual language.

Marc Chagall | Île Saint-Louis (1959) (1959) | For Sale

Marc Chagall's lithograph *Île Saint-Louis (1959)*, a limited-edition print in colors on Arches paper signed and numbered by the artist, is being offered for sale through an online auction hosted by LLB Auction on Artsy. The work, estimated at €10,000–€15,000, is part of a Contemporary Art Spring 2026 sale and carries a starting bid of €9,000. The listing includes provenance details, a condition report option, and a buyer's premium.

The Cape Ann Museum’s Newest Exhibition, Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea, Coincides With the Reopening of the Museum’s Main Campus

The Cape Ann Museum has opened a landmark exhibition titled "Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea," featuring 82 works by Milton Avery, Adolph Gottlieb, and Mark Rothko. The show explores the artists' formative summers on Cape Ann in the 1930s and '40s, where they escaped New York City and developed a deep artistic camaraderie. The exhibition coincides with the reopening of the museum's main campus after 20 months of renovations, and will travel to The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. in October—the first time a Cape Ann Museum-organized exhibition tours to a national museum.

Artists and Organizations Rally Against Censorship in Open Letter

Hundreds of arts organizations and professionals have signed an open letter denouncing censorship, titled 'Cultural Freedom Demands Collective Courage: A Nation-Wide Statement of Values and Principles for the Field of Arts and Culture.' The statement, issued by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and New York’s Vera List Center for Art and Politics, responds to the National Endowment for the Arts terminating over $27 million in grants. This follows President Donald Trump's second term, which has banned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in federal government, forcing DEI offices at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Institution to close. The White House also published a list of artworks at the Smithsonian it deems to feature 'improper ideology.' The letter aims to rally cultural institutions against increasing pressure on programming decisions.

How to see every painting by Leonardo da Vinci

This article guides readers on a global tour to see every surviving painting by Leonardo da Vinci, numbering around 16 works predominantly by the master himself, plus a few with his intervention. It traces his career through Florence, Milan, Rome, and France, highlighting key locations such as the Louvre, the National Gallery in London, the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh, and museums in Washington, D.C., and Krakow. The piece also notes the disputed attribution and unknown whereabouts of the $450m Salvator Mundi.

3000 pound ice sculpture national mall washington dc

Conceptual artists Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese created a 3,000-pound ice sculpture spelling out “Democracy” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The work, titled *Last Call DemocracyICED*, stood five feet tall and 17 feet wide before melting. It was commissioned by Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and activist behind the Up In Arms campaign, which advocates for reducing Pentagon spending in favor of public health and education. Cohen cited actions by the Trump administration—such as attacks on free speech, secret police arrests, and military use against civilians—as threats to American democracy.

brooklyn museum pasternak leadership fired making their mark forum

Brooklyn Museum director Anne Pasternak sparked a critical conversation at the Making Their Mark Forum in Washington, D.C., highlighting a gendered disparity in museum leadership exits. Pasternak observed that while male directors are typically permitted to retire with dignity, female leaders are increasingly being fired or forced out, calling on the press to investigate the lack of formal data on this trend.

trump eyes park near jefferson memorial garden of heroes

The Trump administration is considering West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., as the site for its proposed “National Garden of American Heroes,” a sculpture garden featuring statues of American historical figures. According to anonymous sources cited by the Washington Post, the park—located near the Jefferson Memorial and memorials to Martin Luther King Jr. and Franklin D. Roosevelt—may require an exemption under the Commemorative Works Act if the southern tip is used. The project, first announced in January 2021, received $40 million in congressional funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, and the National Endowment for the Humanities launched a new grant program for statue design after canceling most of its existing grants.

national portrait gallery director resigns trump kim sajet

Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., has resigned from her post after President Donald Trump claimed on social media that he had fired her. The Smithsonian Institution initially affirmed its independence, stating that only its secretary and Board of Regents control personnel decisions, and Sajet continued working. However, as of June 13, she departed the role she had held since 2013, citing her desire to put the museum first. Trump had criticized Sajet for being a supporter of DEI and for including a wall text with a portrait of him that mentioned his impeachments and the January 6 insurrection.